Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Oscar Davis was shot and killed when he attempted to break up a fight between occupants of two cars.
When he jumped on the running board of one of the vehicles, he was shot and fell to the street. As the suspects fled, the second car ran over him. The car the gunman was in was found overturned just outside of Raton.
Two days later, two men were apprehended near Maxwell and were charged with Chief Davis' murder. One of the subjects died in 1944, and the other in 1970.
Chief Davis was survived by his wife, son, and parents.
He is buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, New Mexico.
Survivors
Chief Davis was survived by his wife, son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-EA3BBAE8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Davis served with the Raton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Raton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Oscar Davis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Raton Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Davis is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Davis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Raton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
